KR20030005737A - Shooting apparatus capable of displaying image on a remocon and a remocon used for the same, and a shooting system using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: An image pickup device capable of viewing an image with a remote controller, the remote controller used for the same, and an image pickup system using the remote controller are provided for a user to easily control image pickup operation. CONSTITUTION: An image pickup system using a remote controller includes an image pickup device including a lens assembly(110) for picking up an image of an object(300), and an image transmitting part(150) transmitting data of the image picked up by the lens assembly to the outside; and a terminal(200) including an image receiving part(250) receiving the data of the image transmitted from the image transmitting part, and a display part(290) displaying the data of the image.

Description

Shooting apparatus capable of displaying image on a remocon and a remocon used for the same, and a shooting system using the same}

The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus such as a digital camera capable of controlling an imaging operation with a remote controller, a remote controller used for controlling the imaging operation of such an imaging apparatus, and an imaging system using such an imaging apparatus and a remote controller.

In order to capture a subject using an imaging device such as a digital camera or a camcorder, the operator places the imaging device toward the subject and then adjusts the focus and presses the shutter to obtain an optimal image. Typically, since one person operates the imaging device and the other person's still or moving picture is taken with the background, there must be a separate person who operates the imaging device to photograph the model person.

In order to allow a holder of an image capturing apparatus to photograph an image containing itself by itself, an image capturing apparatus capable of capturing by using a remote control apparatus such as a remote control has been proposed. An imaging apparatus using such a remote controller typically includes a shutter drive button for inputting a command for performing an imaging operation of the imaging apparatus. In addition, in the case of an imaging device having a zoom function, a separate zoom button for controlling the zoom function is provided on the remote control. The operator first selects a background to be photographed, fixes the image pickup device toward the location, and then moves to the background to operate the remote controller to photograph an image of himself or herself included.

However, when an operator wants to take a picture of himself / herself by using an imaging device using such a remote controller, the operator cannot look up an image in which he / she is included. There is a disadvantage that it is not possible to know whether the image is composed with. In other words, when the operator takes a poison photo, it is very difficult to compose how much position he or she should stand in the desired background. Accordingly, a problem may occur that the focus is obtained with a very blurry image, a part of the body is not included in the captured image, and the person comes out too small or too large for the background.

In order to overcome this disadvantage, an image pickup device equipped with an auto focusing function may be used. When using an imaging device with automatic focusing, the imaging device automatically calculates the distance of the subject you want to capture and automatically adjusts the focus accordingly so that you can obtain a focused image even if you are taking a photo alone. do. For automatic focusing, the imaging device includes an infrared generator for irradiating infrared rays toward the subject. The distance from the subject is calculated using the time when the infrared rays irradiated by the infrared generator are reflected by the subject and returned, and the focal length is adjusted so that the subject placed at the calculated distance is captured most clearly. Therefore, when an operator attempts to take a single photo alone, an image of relatively clear image quality can be obtained by the automatic focusing function even if accurate focusing is not performed.

However, even in the case of using an imaging device equipped with an automatic focusing function, the reference direction of focusing is fixed so that a clear image can be obtained with respect to a subject located at the center of the screen of the image to be captured. In the case of not being located at the center of the image, for example, when a person wants to photograph the background in a position offset to the right or left side of the background, the person is blurred because the background is focused on the background. Thus, in the case where the subject is trying to obtain an image of a composition in which the subject is not positioned at the center of the image, the operator first adjusts the focus while composing the subject so that the subject is positioned at the center of the image, and then the adjusted focus does not change. With the focus adjustment function locked, change the position of the imaging device again so that the subject is positioned at another position in the image to compose the desired composition. In this state, the image is driven by driving the shutter to obtain a clear image of a subject within a desired composition.

However, this method involves a very cumbersome change of composition and adjustment of the focus, and it is difficult for a general user who does not learn professional operation techniques to obtain a clear image.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to control an image capturing operation for obtaining a desired image by allowing an image to be captured to be retrieved using a separate terminal. Accordingly, it is to provide an imaging system that allows an operator to easily take a single photograph by himself.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an imaging system in which the focusing position of the subject can be changed, thereby making it easier to adjust the focus of the image inquired by the operator as described above, and thereby obtain a clear image quality.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide an image capturing apparatus which enables an operator to control an image capturing operation while inquiring his own image by enabling data transmission for an image to be captured to a separate terminal as described above.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a remote control for an imaging device that can control the operation of the imaging device in accordance with the inquiry and inquiry result of the image transmitted from the imaging device capable of image transfer as described above.

1 is a block diagram of an imaging system according to the present invention;

2 is a schematic diagram showing an appearance of a remote controller shown in FIG. 1;

3 is a schematic diagram of a mobile phone that may be used in place of the remote control of FIG.

4 is an exemplary view of a viewfinder of the image pickup device shown in FIG. 1 or a screen displayed on a display unit of a remote controller and a mobile phone shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawings

100: digital camera 110: lens assembly

113: lens driver 120: image signal processing unit

125: encoder 130: camera microcomputer

140: focus display generator 150: image transmission unit

171: infrared transmitter 173: infrared receiver

200: remote control 225: decoder

230: remote control microcomputer 250: image receiving unit

271: infrared transmitter 290: LCD display

An image pickup system according to the present invention for achieving the above object comprises: an image pickup device having a lens assembly for picking up an image of a subject, and an image transfer section for transmitting data of the image picked up by the lens assembly to the outside; And a terminal having an image receiving unit which receives data of the image transmitted by the image transmitting unit, and a display unit which displays data of the image received by the image receiving unit. The user can inquire the image to be captured through the terminal, and therefore, it is easy to adjust the desired composition when the user takes a single photograph alone.

The terminal may be implemented as a remote controller having an input unit for inputting a control command for the operation of the imaging device, and a transmission unit for transmitting the control command input through the input unit to the imaging device. It may be implemented as a mobile phone capable of transmitting and receiving data wirelessly with the imaging device.

A Bluetooth transmitter may be used as the image transmitter, and a Bluetooth receiver may be used as the image receiver.

In the imaging device, a focus display generator for adding focus display of a predetermined shape to the image is provided. In order to control the focus display generator, in the image pickup apparatus, a position adjusting button for inputting a position adjusting command of the focus display so that the position in the image of the focus display is changed, and adjusted by the position adjusting button A control unit is provided to control the focus display generator such that the focus display is located at a position. The position adjustment button may be provided to the input unit of the remote control. Means for measuring a distance between a subject existing at a position corresponding to the focal mark in the image and the image pickup device in the image pickup device, and the lens assembly in response to the distance measured by the measuring means; A lens driver for adjusting the distance is provided. Accordingly, the user can change the position of the focus display, and the focus is automatically adjusted based on the position changed by the user.

On the other hand, the image pickup apparatus according to the present invention for achieving the above object, the lens assembly for picking up the image of the subject; An image signal processing unit which processes the image photographed by the lens assembly and converts the image into digital data; And an image transmission unit which transmits data of the image photographed by the lens assembly to the outside.

Here, the image transmitter may be implemented as a Bluetooth transmitter.

In the image pickup apparatus, a focus display generator for adding a focus display of a predetermined shape and a control unit for controlling the focus display generator to move the focus display to another position in the image according to a user's position change command input are provided. .

Further, in the imaging device, means for measuring the distance between the subject and the imaging device existing at a position corresponding to the focal mark in the image, and the lens assembly in response to the distance measured by the measuring means. The lens driver adjusts the focal length. Accordingly, the user can change the position of the focus display, and the focus of the image capturing apparatus is automatically adjusted based on the position changed by the user.

On the other hand, the remote control for imaging device control according to the present invention for achieving the above object, the input unit for inputting a control command for the operation of the imaging device; A transmission unit for transmitting the control command input through the input unit to the imaging device; An image receiving unit which receives the image data transmitted from the imaging device; And a display unit for displaying the image data received by the image receiving unit.

The image receiver may be implemented as a Bluetooth receiver. Preferably, the input unit is provided with a position adjustment button for inputting a position adjustment command of the focus display so that the position of the focus display in the image formed by the image data is changed. Therefore, the user can adjust the focus position to match the composition of the image while inquiring the image displayed on the display unit.

Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings will be described the present invention in more detail.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an imaging system according to the present invention. In particular, FIG. 1 illustrates an imaging system including a digital camera and a remote controller as a terminal for controlling the imaging system.

The imaging system according to the present invention comprises a digital camera 100 for capturing an image of a subject 300, and a remote controller 200 for remotely controlling the operation of the digital camera 100.

The digital camera 100 may include a lens assembly 110 for capturing a still image of a subject 300, a lens driver 113 for controlling an operation such as focusing or shutter driving of the lens assembly 110, and a lens assembly. Image signal processing unit 120 for signal processing and converting the signal of the image captured by the image into digital data, memory 123 for storing the image data of the captured image, input various control commands related to the imaging operation The operation panel 180 for displaying the image, the viewfinder 160 for displaying the image to the outside so that the operator can visually check the image to be captured, and the overall operation to perform the imaging operation according to the command input through the operation panel 180. A camera microcomputer 130 for controlling the imaging operation is provided.

In addition, the digital camera 100 has an encoder 125 for converting the image data into a predetermined data format, for example, a JPEG format, etc., and transmits the image data whose format is converted by the encoder 125 to the outside. It has an image transmission unit 150 for. The image transmitter 150 may be implemented by various kinds of apparatuses capable of transmitting image data. For example, the image transmitter 150 may be implemented as a brutus transmitter capable of transmitting and receiving data at a short range.

In addition, the digital camera 100 has an infrared transmitter 171 and an infrared receiver 173 for measuring the distance to the subject 300. The infrared transmitter 171 irradiates infrared rays toward the subject 300, and the irradiated infrared rays are reflected by the subject 300. The infrared receiver 173 receives the reflected infrared light. The camera microcomputer 130 calculates a distance between the digital camera 100 and the subject 300 using the time from the time point at which the reflected infrared light is irradiated to the time point at which the received light is received. The infrared receiver 173 also performs a function of receiving a command transmitted from the remote controller 200.

A focus display generator 140 is installed between the camera microcomputer 130 and the encoder 125. The focus display generator 140 functions to add a predetermined focus display to an image captured by the lens assembly 110 as described later in detail. The operation of the focus display generator 140 is controlled by the camera microcomputer 130.

The operation panel 180 is provided with a plurality of operation buttons. These operation buttons include an imaging button such as a shutter button for inputting an imaging operation start command, a position changing button for changing the position of the focus display as described later, and a lens assembly 110 of the lens driving unit 113. The focus control button for controlling the, and the zoom button for adjusting the zoom function of the lens assembly 110 of the lens driver 113 is included.

The remote controller 200 includes an image receiver 250 for receiving image data transmitted by the image transmitter 150 in the digital camera 100, and a decoder 225 for decoding image data received by the image receiver 250. ), An LCD display 290 for displaying image data decoded by the decoder 225, an operation panel 280 for a user to input a control command of the digital camera 280, and an input through the operation panel 280. Infrared transmitter 271 for transmitting the control command to the digital camera 100, and a remote control microcomputer 230 for controlling the overall operation thereof.

The image receiver 250 may be implemented by various devices capable of receiving image data. For example, the image receiver 250 may be implemented as a Bluetooth receiver to correspond to the image transmitter 150 configured as the Bluetooth transmitter as described above. The decoder 225 is configured to inversely decode it corresponding to the coding scheme of the encoder 125. Therefore, the image data converted by the data format received by the image receiving unit 250 is restored by the decoder 225 to the original image data.

As shown in FIG. 2, the operation panel 280 includes an image capturing button 281 for inputting an image capturing start command to the digital camera 100, and a zoom button 282 for controlling a zoom function of the digital camera 100. And a position adjusting button 285 for inputting a position adjustment command of the focus display so that the focus display generated by the focus display generator 140 is moved within the image. The zoom buttons 282 and 283 are composed of a zoom in button 282 for enlarging the magnification of the image to be imaged, and a zoom out button 283 for reducing the magnification. Position adjustment button 285 is composed of a cursor key for moving the focus display up, down, left, right, the focus display in the image as described later in accordance with the operation of the position adjustment button 285, up, down, left, Is moved to the right.

Figure 3 shows another embodiment of a terminal for receiving image data from the digital camera 100, in particular an example in which a mobile phone 400 having an image display device such as an LCD display 490 is used as the terminal. have. When the mobile phone 400 is used as a terminal, as described above with reference to FIG. 2, a separate image receiver 250 for receiving image data transmitted from the digital camera 100 must be provided, and the image receiver 250 is provided. As described above, a Bluetooth transceiver may be used.

When the mobile phone 400 is used as a terminal as shown in FIG. 3, the number button provided on the keypad of the mobile phone 400 may be used as a button for inputting an operation command of the digital camera 100. For example, 2, 8, 4, 6 number buttons may be used to move the focus display up, down, left, and right in place of the position control button 285 in FIG. When the number button is input, the Bluetooth transmitter or infrared transmitter provided in the mobile phone 400 transmits a position adjustment command to the digital camera 100. Buttons for entering other commands may also be substituted for other numeric buttons in the mobile phone 400.

FIG. 4 is an exemplary view of a screen displayed on the viewfinder 160 of the image pickup apparatus shown in FIG. 1 or the display units 290 and 490 of the remote controller and the mobile phone shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, in particular, the focus display generator 140. It is a figure for explaining the change of the position of the focus display which generate | occur | produced by).

The focus display generator 140 adds a bracket-shaped focus display to the image output from the image signal processor 120 as illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 4. This focus mark is located at the center of the image. In FIG. 4, the focus mark positioned at the center of the image is indicated by 'C'. When the operator operates the position adjustment button (not shown) provided on the operation panel 180 of the digital camera 100 or the position adjustment button 285 provided on the operation panel 280 of the remote controller 100, the camera microcomputer ( 130 receives the position adjustment command through the operation panel 180 or through the infrared player 173, and controls the operation of the focus display generator 140 according to the input position adjustment command. Accordingly, the position of the focus mark changes to the position moved to the upper side (indicated by 'U'), the lower side (indicated by 'D'), the left side (indicated by 'L'), and the right side (indicated by 'R'). do.

Hereinafter, an operation process for an operator to take a photo by using the imaging system as described above will be described.

First, the operator positions the digital camera 100 toward the background to be photographed by the user and starts driving the digital camera 100 to settle in the background. The image of the subject 300, ie, the background and the operator, input through the lens assembly 110 is signal-processed by the image signal processing unit 120 and converted into digital data. The digital data is encoded in JPEG format by the encoder 125. After conversion to the data of the image transmission unit 150 is transmitted to the remote control 100. At this time, the focus display generated by the focus display generator 140 is added to the transmitted image. On the other hand, image data is also transmitted to the viewfinder 160. Therefore, the image to be picked up together with the focus display is also displayed in the viewfinder 160 attached to the outside of the digital camera 100.

The image receiving unit 250 in the remote controller 200 receives the image data in JPEG format transmitted by the image transmitting unit 150, and the decoder 225 decodes the original image data. The remote controller microcomputer 230 controls the LCD display 290 so that this image data is displayed on the LCD display 290.

The operator inputs a command to move the focus display to the right by manipulating the position adjustment button 285 in the remote controller 100 when the operator is not positioned at the center of the image and is oriented to the right for shooting in the background. do. The command is transmitted to the digital camera 100 by the infrared transmitter 271, and the infrared receiver 173 in the digital camera 100 receives the command and transmits the command to the camera microcomputer 130. The camera microcomputer 130 controls the focus display generator 140 according to this command to move the focus display to the right, and the image in which the focus display is moved to the right is transmitted to the remote controller 200 by the image transmitting unit 150. do. Accordingly, the LCD display 290 displays an image as shown in FIG. 2. In this case, the operator may control the zoom function of the image capturing apparatus 100 using the zoom buttons 282 and 283 provided in the remote controller 200 as necessary.

When the operator presses the focus auto adjustment button (not shown) provided in the remote controller 100, the command is transmitted to the camera microcomputer 130 through the infrared transmitter 271 and the infrared receiver 173 as described above, and the camera The microcomputer 130 performs a focus auto adjustment operation. To this end, the infrared transmitter 171 irradiates infrared rays toward the subject 300, that is, the person within the focus display, and the reflected infrared rays are received by the infrared receiver 173, and the camera microcomputer 130 receives the received infrared rays. As described above, the distance between the digital camera 100 and the subject 300 is calculated using infrared rays. The camera microcomputer 130 controls the lens driver 113 to adjust the focus of the lens assembly 110 so that the object placed at the calculated distance is captured clearly.

After the automatic focus adjustment is completed, the operator presses the imaging button 281 to input an imaging start command. This command is transmitted to the camera microcomputer 130 through the infrared transmitter 271 and the infrared receiver 171 as described above, and the camera microcomputer 130 drives the shutter (not shown) to perform the imaging operation. The picked-up image is stored in the memory 123.

Since the operator holding the remote controller 200 can query the image to be captured using the remote controller 200, it is possible to confirm whether the user is in a position that is appropriately harmonized with the background. Therefore, the operator can take a single photograph of the desired form without the help of another person alone.

In addition, since the focus position can be adjusted toward the user through manipulation of the remote controller 200 within the inquired image, automatic adjustment of the focus for obtaining a clear image is easily performed. This focusing position adjustment function is convenient for auto focusing when an operator takes a photo of another person as well as taking a photo of another person. It can be provided. That is, the operator can automatically adjust the focusing position by adjusting the focusing position toward the position of the subject provided in the digital camera 100, the operation of the focusing display only by the operation of the automatic focusing control without a separate focusing control A clear image can be obtained.

It is also possible to manufacture a separate remote control only for adjusting the focus position. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, it is also possible to manufacture a remote controller that provides only information on whether or not the subject is at the current focus position without using the remote controller having the LCD display 290. will be.

In this case, whether or not the subject is positioned at the current focus display position can be easily obtained by causing the infrared transmitter 171 to irradiate the infrared rays toward the current focus display position and to determine whether there is infrared light reflected by the infrared receiver 173. I can tell. That is, when there is reflected infrared light, it may be determined that the subject is located at the current focal point, and when there is no reflected infrared light or when it is determined that the reflected light is too far from the analysis result of the reflected infrared light It may be determined that the position of the current focus display is a position placed by the background rather than the subject.

The remote controller is provided with a separate display unit for displaying whether or not the subject is positioned at the current focus display position. In this case, the display unit can be easily implemented by using a light emitting diode (LED). For example, when the current focus display is out of position, an error message LED is turned on. According to this method, it is possible to determine whether the subject is placed in the focus display position using a display apparatus such as a low-cost LED without using an image display apparatus such as an expensive LCD display, and the operator can inquire the focus display position. You can adjust the focus display position so that the subject is at the focus display position by adjusting the LED and querying the LED. Therefore, it is possible to effectively perform the position adjustment of the focus display by using the low-cost remote controller.

In the above embodiment, the digital camera 100 is illustrated as the image pickup device according to the present invention, but the present invention may be applied to other types of image pickup devices such as camcorders.

As described above, according to the present invention, since an image to be captured can be inquired by using a separate terminal such as a remote controller or a mobile phone, it is easy to control an image capture operation to obtain a desired image, and the operator can easily take a photo alone. There is an advantage that it can.

In addition, according to the present invention, since the focus is automatically adjusted to easily change the focus position of the subject and obtain an optimal image for the subject at the changed focus position, a clear image quality can be obtained.

Although specific embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and the present invention belongs to the present invention without departing from the gist of the present invention as claimed in the claims. Anyone of ordinary skill in the art will be able to implement various modifications.

Claims (10)

An imaging device having a lens assembly for capturing an image of a subject, and an image transmitting section for transmitting data of the image picked up by the lens assembly to the outside; And And a terminal having an image receiving unit for receiving data of the image transmitted by the image transmitting unit, and a display unit for displaying data of the image received by the image receiving unit. A lens assembly for photographing an image of a subject; An image signal processing unit which processes the image photographed by the lens assembly and converts the image into digital data; And And an image transmission unit which transmits data of the image captured by the lens assembly to the outside. The method of claim 2, And an encoder for converting output data of the image signal processing unit into a predetermined data format. The method of claim 2, And a focus display generator for adding focus display of a predetermined shape to the image. The method of claim 4, wherein And a control unit for controlling the focus display generator to move the focus display to another position in the image according to a user's position change command input. An input unit for inputting a control command relating to the operation of the imaging apparatus; A transmission unit for transmitting the control command input through the input unit to the imaging device; An image receiving unit which receives the image data transmitted from the imaging device; And And a display unit for displaying the image data received by the image receiving unit. The method of claim 6, And the input unit includes an image capturing button for inputting an image capturing start command to the image capturing apparatus, and a zoom button for controlling a zoom function of the image capturing apparatus. The method of claim 6, And the input unit includes a position adjustment button for inputting a position adjustment command of the focus display so that the position of the focus display in the image formed by the image data is changed. The method of claim 6, And the transmitting unit is an infrared ray transmitter for transmitting the control command to the image pickup device using infrared light. The method of claim 6, And a decoder for decoding the image data received through the image receiving unit.